Science in Our Lives

Breathe Easier With Science!

Orlando Science Center takes the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers very seriously. During the last year, on top of our already stringent health and safety protocols, we have increased sanitization efforts throughout the entire building. Even now, our team is constantly searching for methods and technology to keep our visitors safe and healthy. Frequent sanitizing of exhibits and encouraging hand washing are one way, but how do you sanitize the air?

Suspended in the air we breathe particles and pathogens too small to see with the naked eye. Those particles could be dust, pollen, mold, or even pathogens like viruses and bacteria. Orlando Science Center will safely filter pollutants from our air by installing a modular ionization air purification device with needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI) from Global Plasma Solutions (GPS). How does it work? An ion is a molecule or atom that is positively or negatively charged, meaning it must either gain or relinquish electrons in order to become neutral. Ions occur everywhere in nature, created with energy from rushing water, crashing waves, and even sunlight. They are constantly working to clean the air. GPS’ NPBI technology replicates this process by generating its own ions that attach to the existing particles and pathogens in a process called agglomeration, resulting in large cluster that are more easily filtered out of the air via the building’s HVAC system. GPS’ technology is the only one of its kind that does not produce ozone or other harmful byproducts across its entire product line in the process.

This process has been laboratory tested to be both safe and effective. Independent laboratory testing has shown that this technology limits the spread of viruses. In fact, GPS’ NPBI technology was the first to be tested and proved to neutralize up to 98.5% of SARSCoV-2 pathogens in 30 minutes and up to 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2 pathogens in 60 minutes.

This project is funded in part by United Arts of Central Florida, Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program and through federal funding from the C.A.R.E.S. Act in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.